Woman magistrate who told offender to stay away from 'Paki shop' escapes with slap on the wrist

A magistrate who used the term 'Paki shop' in court will not be sacked, it was revealed today.

Carol Robson has instead been given a reprimand and ordered to take 'diversity training', the Office for Judicial Complaints said, despite Justice Secretary Jack Straw recommending she be removed from her post.

A disciplinary panel had said she should be removed from her job, but Mrs Robson appealed and the punishment was reduced after a review found she had 'no racist intent'.

Mrs Robson made the comment during a hearing at Sunderland Magistrates' Court in June 2008.

Sentencing a shoplifter, she told the offender not to go back to the 'Paki shop' where he was caught.

She was suspended while the complaint was investigated. Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge and Justice Secretary Jack Straw both recommended she should be sacked.

But an independent review body looked into the case and handed out the lighter punishment.

A spokesman for the Office for Judicial Complaints said: 'Following the use of a racist term in court by Mrs Carol Robson, a magistrate on the Sunderland Bench, it was made clear to Mrs Robson that the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice supported a recommendation for her removal from the Magistracy.

'Having been made aware of this view... Mrs Robson requested an independent review body to consider what had happened.

'After hearing evidence, including oral evidence from Mrs Robson, the review body has concluded that Mrs Robson had no racist intent and should not be removed, but issued with a reprimand and provided with additional diversity training.'

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Woman magistrate who told offender to stay away from 'Paki shop' escapes with slap on the wrist